Tile cutter and breaker



March 26, 1935. s. 1. GRANITE 1,995,741

TILE CUTTER AND BREAKER Filed July 27, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor S /v05; I. GAw /v/ TE.

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. A tlomey March 1935- s. l. GRANITE I 1,995,741

TILE CUTTER AND BREAKER Filed July 27, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fay. 3.

Inventor A Home Patented Mar. 26, 1935 FATE? OFFICE TILE CUTTER AND BREAKER Samuel I. Granite, Los Angeles, Calif. Application July 27, 1931, Serial No. 553,254

6 Claims.

The present invention is an improvement over the tile cutter and breaker illustrated in my prior and copending application, Serial No. 468,276,

filed July 16, 1930, andembraces the novel idea of practically cutting and breaking a tile slab simultaneously as in said application disclosed, but by a new, novel and ingenious means over the means disclosed in my said prior application.

The primary object of my present invention, is the provision of a device that not only possesses a marked improvement over the respective tile cutting devices in present day use in the tile cutting art, but also to provide a device of this character which in many respects, as will hereinafter be more fully enlarged upon will accomplish more and better results, quicker, with less waste and absolute dependency.

As with my copending application aforesaid, it is the object of my device thus, to place into the hands of the tile setter, a most reliable and practical tool that not only will cut a tile slab accurately at any desired angle, but will simultaneously separate the cut portions, free from chipped edges, assuring an even and absolutely clean break.

Although the device will readily score and break tile slabs of every known description, it is peculiarly well adapted to the scoring and breaking of the highly glazed surfaced tile so extensively used today, and, without fear of contradiction, to my knowledge, no other device willlwith this type of tile accomplish as satisfactory results.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of this character, which, due to its unique construction is portable, exceedingly light in weight and readily adaptable for carriage within the tile setters tool kit.

Salient improvements in the present invention over the device disclosed in my prior copending application make possible instantaneous reversal of the super-structure and of the separate gaugeineans, together with'the dual use of the latter, thus adding to the convenience of both right and left handed artisans, the straight line gauge is further secured at both of its ends, increased operating leverage and gripping means are provided, the angle gauge is adapted to the making of both top and side outs of any desired mitre, the guide rails are rigid, and increased cushioning and breaking surface coordinating with the pressure exerted against the scored tile slab is provided, all of which, additionally to other marked im provements herein more particularly set forth, stamp it as a thoroughly practical and effective device for the purposes intended,

In its structural characteristics, and in operating detail, my present invention offers little in common with that disclosed in my prior and copending application. The improvements are vital and are not merely the result of mechanical skill.

I attain these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of my invention; Figure 2 being a side view thereof. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Figure i is an enlarged sectional view of the guide frame elevatingscrews on line. 4-4 of Fig. 2. Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Figure 6 is a view showing the super-structure removed from the base or table of the invention, the device being thus folded to a reduced area for the purpose of carriage in the tile setters tool kit. Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the angle gauge set in one position and in dotted lines, a reversal thereof in another position, and Figure 8 is a view on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts thruout the several views, the numeral 1 7 thus indicates a base or table having at its opposite ends boss members 2 functioning as a supporting means for the guide frame members 6, and 4 indicates a grooved out portion in the table top to accommodate the depressed surface area of a molded tile slab, as of the bull-nozed or capping variety, for example. 5 indicates a scale inscribed on the table top for setting a straight line gauge 7 comprising a bar 8 guided across the table on guide members 3, said bar 8 terminating at its respective ends into inverted U shaped members 9 and 10 which engage in close contact over said guide members 3. As indicated, end 9 is adapted to engage a thumb screw 11 whereby said gauge is securely set against movement at any pre-determined position on the table, the opposite end 10 having a T head 12 formed on its outermost part, the latter functioning as a T square to hold the gauge true in its movement, the gauge being regulated as to distance by means of said scale v5. While the scale 5 is shown on but one end of the table, it should be understood that the gauge may be set regardless of. its position on the table, the top thus serving either a left or right handed artisan by merely reversing the said gauge.

Secured to said gauge 7 by means of a spring clip 14 and pivotallyattached to said spring clip by means of a pivot 15, an angle gauge 13 having a body 17 secured to a head 18 by a trunnion 16 provides a ready means for the cutting of an- 5 gle shaped pieces of tile slab, said angle gauge being reversible by merely releasing said spring clip 14 from the gauge 7 so as to make possible swiveling the body 17 in a reverse position against the head 18 and thence reattaching the same by means of the aforesaid spring clip to the gauge 7.

Slidably mounted on the outer edge of the head 18 and securely positioned thereto by means of a screw 20, a finger 19 functions to hold said gauge 13 at any rare-determined angle, said slidable finger being reversible with the said body.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that both gauges may be used at one and the same time, the straight line gauge to carry the angle gauge either forward or backward across the table top as required to meet the variations in sizes of the different tile slabs it is desired to be cut.

The guide frame 6 and its super-structure consists of guide bars 21 and 22, and cross heads 23 and 24 to which said guide bars are securely attached by means of bolts 25 and 26. Engaging said cross heads, elevating screws 27 and 28, threaded at their ends 50 and 29 respectively engage the aforesaid boss members 2, the function of said structural arrangement being to readily permit disconnecting and removing of said super-structure from the table proper for the purpose of reducing the device in size for carriage, and to raise or lower the super-structure as required for the insertion of the various thicknesses of tile slab to be scored.

A handle 30 comprising gripping means 31, Stem 32 and body 33 is held in a neutral and upright position by a constant pressure means, the body 33 being recessed as at 36 Figure and wherein a spring member 37 provides a means for yieldably holding outwardly balls 34 and 35 respectively engaging said recessed body portion, the balls 34 and 35 being thus individually held by the constant pressure exerted by said spring member 37 against the guide members 21 and 22, thus forming a rest as it were for the handle and preventing its movement in a forward or backward direction without the exertion of force, force exerted by the artisan in either direction forcing the ball in line with the movement of the handle to compress the spring, permitting the ball to entirely enter the recessed portion and leaving the handle free to function at the will of the artisan for either the scoring or breaking operation as the case may be.

Rollers 39 are attached to the body 33 one at each side by means of a pin 38, and similar rollers 40 are likewise so attached by means of a pin 43, said rollers engaging the lower surfaces 41 and 42 of the guide bars 21 and 22, said pin 43 further carrying pressure exerting feet 44 and 45, adjacent the outerside of said rollers 39 and 40, the surfaces of which are cushioned as at 47 with a resilient material, said feet 44 and 45 forcing the already scored or cut tile slab against a breaker bar 49 mounted in the base or table 1, the tile slab being scored or cut by means of a roller knife 46 carried by a holder 48 engaging the body 33.

In its practical operation, the device being portable and light in weight as aforesaid, may readily be carried in the tile setters tool kit and set up for use any where on the job.

Having set gauge '7 to the size slab required and in line with. scale 5, the artisan simply grips the handle 30 and with a forward push scores or cuts the tile slab, thence, using the same handle, but with a backward motion thereof, pressure is exerted by the feet members 44 and 45 against the slab forcing the same to break by the underlying resistance against said pressure created by the aforesaid-breaker bar, body 33, in its movement being tilted and riding as is apparent, on either set of rollers-39 or 46 in accordance with the direction of the former; forward or backward, as the case may be, the com bined handle and body portion in its movement during the separation operation being tilted by the mechanic so as to properly contact with the tile slab, the thinner the slab, the more pronounced the tilt, the converse being true in separating thick or heavy slabs, it being apparent that either set of rollers will contact with the guide bars in the separating operation in accordance with the direction of the movement of the body, either forwardly or backwardly, as the case may be.

For other than straight cuts, the angle gauge 13 is brought into use. And, as this is reversible as aforesaid, cuts of either right or left angle shape may readily be made, the scoring and breaking operation in either case being identical.

In setting said angle gauge, the finger 19 is slidably set to the desired degree, thence locked against movement by means of the screw 20, the scoring and breaking operation following by means of the handle 30. When pieces are required of an angle directly opposite from the pieces secured when this gauge is set as illustrated, the gauge is reversed as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7. This is easily and quickly accomplished. Merely lifting the spring clip 14 from its position on the gauge '7 carrying the entire angle gauge assembly with it, the swiveled or pivoted body is thence turned on its pivot so as to place the entire assembly in reverse position, after which it is re-attached to the gauge 7 and ready for positioning the slab.

In order to make a complete mitre, that is, both a right and a left angle cut, I cut the required number of slabs one way, thence reversing the gauge as above, I repeat the operation to cut the others. It requires but a second to make the change. There are no screws, bolts, nuts or other fastening means to fuss with. Nothing to loosen, no separate pieces to bother with. The spring clip 14 does the trick to a nicety and serves its purpose exceedingly well.

The superstructure, too, being reversible, the convenience of both right and left handed artisans is thereby fully met. My device thus assuring a tile slab separating or breaking mechanism as handy as it is practical, and, due to its ability to quickly score and break the slab in a straight clean break regardless of the angle, it is as efficient as it is economical.

Produced from materials readily obtainable in the open market and at no great cost, as an article of manufacture, the device embodies definite characteristics of construction and principles of operation that readily ascribe it to be an article of merit, and as an article of manufacture it is new, novel, useful and practical.

Having thus described one illustrative embodimerit of my invention in more or less specific terms, it should not be construed or understood that I limit myself specifically thereto, my description being used to indicate what I have conceived in a generic and descriptive sense and not for the purposes of limitation.

What I claim as within the scope of my invention is therefore:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a table havinga breaker bar affixed thereto, a super-structure mounted above said table, guide bars carried by said super-structure, a body member guided by said guide bars, scoring means carried by said body member for scoring a tile slab and pressure means carried by said body member for forcing the scored tile against said breaker bar, said pressure means simultaneously contacting the face of the tile slab on both sides of the scored line resulting from operation of said scoring means, and said breaker bar contacting the tile slab on the under side thereof in alignment with said scored line, the forced tension against the tile slab by said dual pressure contact on the face thereof by said pressure means and against said breaker bar, resulting in the breaking of the tile slab along the scored line.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a table having a longitudinally extending breaker bar aifixed thereto, a gauge means reversibly positioned thereon, boss members affixed on opposite ends of said table, a superstructure mounted above said table, said superstructure comprising guide bars, a handle having a recessed body, balls and spring members in said recessed body for holding said handle in neutral position, roller means carried by said handle body and engaging said guide bars, pressure exerting foot means adjacent said rollers carried by said body and cooperative with the movement 'of said handle body, said pressure exerting foot means having a resilient cushioned surface area for contacting with a tile slab positioned on said table, a holder engaging said handle body, a roller knife adaptable to score the tile slab secured in said holder and held in operative engagement with the movement of said handle body across the face of the tile slab.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination with a table, of guide bar means above said table, a demountable super-structure above said table, a body carried by said super-structure, pressure exerting foot members attached to said body, rollers attached to said body, a holder engaging said body, scoring means comprising a scoring knife positioned in said holder, a straight and a reversible angle gauge cooperatively positioned on said table, said table having boss members disposed on opposite ends and adapted to receive the threaded ends of bolt members engaging U shaped members contacting with said guide bars above said table, a breaker bar affixed to said table, said guide bars providing a track means for slidably operating said scoring means above said table, means for guiding said gauge means on said table and for locking said gauge means in a predetermined position for the scoring and breaking operation of a tile slab.

4. In a device as described, a slotted frame, a base supporting said frame, a handle projecting adjustably in said slotted frame, and having a crank arm carrying a tile scoring wheel and. a pair of crushers pivoted upon opposite sides of the handle in straddling relation to the crank arm, and rollers on opposite faces of the handle having a rolling contact with the under edge of the slotted frame.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a presser member consisting of an elongated handle, an angular integral crank arm formed upon the handle, a boss formed upon the lower part of the handle opposite to said crank arm, a pair of crushers having narrow upper edges, pivot pins on the boss upon which the narrow edges of said crushers are pivotally suspended, a scoring wheel journaled at the lower end of the crank arm, a guide bar through which the handle projects movably and rollers on the handle for contact with the guide bar.

6. In a tile scoring and breaker device, the combination of a table, a superstructure mounted above the table, guide means mounted on said super-structure, a tile slab scoring and pressure meansslidably associated with said guide means, said scoring and pressure means having a body member, scoring means carried by said body member, pressure feet depending from said body member, rollers mounted on said body for engaging the lower surfaces of said guide means when said scoring and pressure means is in operation, a breaker bar attached to said table, and gauge means associated with the table for holding a tile slab in position to be scored and broken by said scoring and pressure means.

. SAMUEL I. GRANITE. 

